Thailand's beleaguered Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has asked the powerful military to act as a mediator in pushing for a new dialogue with the anti-government protest movement which has vowed to "shut down" Bangkok from January 13.

Yingluck has asked the military to step in and end the deadlock between the regime and the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) ahead of the shutdown plan next Monday, the Bangkok Post said quoting unnamed sources.

PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, a former MP of opposition Democrat Party, met several top military figures on Saturday to discuss ways to end the crisis, the Post said.

However, there has been no change in Suthep's stance and he has reiterated his demands for an interim government to push for national reforms.

Yingluck has urged the public to vote and said calling off the February 2 polls would bring the country to a dead end.

The premier's remarks came a day after Suthep threatened to take "unprecedented" action to pressure her caretaker government to quit.

The Post reported Suthep has warned that Yingluck could be forced to leave the country and her assets would be seized if the protesters prevail.

Chaikasem said Suthep faced a sedition charge, which carries the maximum penalty of death.

He said if people sided with Suthep by joining the planned protest they would also be regarded as wrongdoers.

The transport ministry has said at least 1 million commuters may be affected by the shutdown. Park and ride stops will be put up to accommodate commuters from the North and South of Bangkok, the ministry said.

The opposition Democrat Party, which has not won general elections in two decades, wants Yingluck to step down and does not want her brother, controversial former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, to be involved in politics.

TERMS OF USE: The views expressed in comments published on indianexpress.com are those of the comment writer's alone. They do not represent the views or opinions of The Indian Express Group or its staff. Comments are automatically posted live; however, indianexpress.com reserves the right to take it down at any time. We also reserve the right not to publish comments that are abusive, obscene, inflammatory, derogatory or defamatory.